FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT IKECHUKU NDUKWE - PAGE 5

In one week Evan Mathis went from pushing for a starting spot on the Dolphins' offensive line to the unemployment line. Mathis' release on Friday made it crystal clear the Dolphins' coaches and decision-makers are looking for more from its underachieving offensive line. Before Sunday, the Dolphins had produced only two 100-yard rushing performances in eight games. It appears the message was heard loud and clear. The Dolphins rushed for 155 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns against the Seahawks.

Rookie tackle Jake Long says it's time to start making the Dolphins' slow start personal. Why? Because it's not hard to argue that the offensive line is the main reason the offense is struggling. The Dolphins planned to lean heavily on the running game this season, but Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown are averaging less than 3 yards a carry. While trailing by double-digit deficits early has changed the offensive game plan, when the Dolphins have tried to run the lanes have been microscopic.

We've seen enough action during OTAs to provide an accurate picture of what the Miami Dolphins depth chart looks like heading into next weekend's mandatory minicamp, which will actually feature football pads. Certain players, like receiver Ted Ginn Jr., appear to be verge of taking their game to the next level. Can they keep the forward progress going? Is it for real, or just coach-driven hype? Others, like defensive end Phillip Merling, are in the prove you belong with the starters mode.

INFORMATIONAL BOX: DOLPHINS' SELECTIONS KENDALL LANGFORD Position: DE College: Hampton Age: 22 Ht./Wt.: 6-5/ 294 Of note: The two-time All-MEAC first-teamer may be a two-year project but has the frame and power to play nose tackle, a position he played as a freshman. In 234 plays made against the run, the opposition managed just 63 yards or .27 average with only seven first downs. He averaged nearly six sacks and 10 quarterback pressures in four seasons. "That's big," Langford kept repeating when asked about receiving the phone call from Bill Parcells that he was a Miami Dolphin.

Fullback is one of football's most thankless jobs because the position usually serves as a glorified battering ram, opening holes for tailbacks or serving as the last line of defense for the quarterback. One of the few moments of glory for a fullback comes in critical short-yardage carries. For two straight games the Dolphins have called on recently signed fullback Lousaka Polite to convert fourth-and-1 situations late in close contests. Both times, the five-year veteran has delivered.

NEWS OF THE DAY Versatile offensive lineman Steve McKinney is finally participating in two-a-day practices after spending nearly a year rehabbing his surgically repaired left knee. McKinney has been battling back from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 3 last season playing for the Texans, and it appears he's finally turning the corner healthwise. Monday was his first full day of practice, and he said he felt good Tuesday. McKinney said he is rotating in on the second team at both right guard and center, the two positions he has experience playing.

By Harvey Fialkov Staff writer and Staff Writers Kevin Clark and Omar Kelly contributed to this report, December 27, 2007

Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter said he has closed the door on one of the most controversial incidents in his career, his March 19 Las Vegas casino brawl with Bengals offensive tackle Levi Jones. Porter was fined $1,000 by the courts and $141,176 (three game checks) by the NFL. At one point, Jones was reportedly considering legal action against Porter. They will see each other again Sunday when the Dolphins host the Bengals in the season finale for both teams. "I'm cool with everybody.

Call it the Dolphins' version of Manic Monday. Or, if you prefer a cinematic tone, Eight Men Out. In a dizzying span of a few hours Monday, the Dolphins not only swallowed an additional $1.5 million salary-cap hit with the release of failed receiver Ernest Wilford, they also traded to the Kansas City Chiefs a pair of offensive linemen that made a combined 21 starts last season, including the playoffs. "Business as usual," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano joked. Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe weren't going to play a significant role on this year's improved line, so the Dolphins decided to get something for them while they still could.

As the start of free agency draws closer the pressure to get a deal done with some of the Miami Dolphins' free agents is mounting. In my opinion the most critical, and possibly the most costly of Dolphins' free agents is tackle Vernon Carey, a four-year starter. He's a proven commodity. At 27 he's still young. He's respected for his durability. He's got a year's worth of experience playing left tackle under his belt courtesy of the 2007 season. And the former Miami Hurricane is a hometown product who does good in the community.